SSC CGL Tier 1 Mock Tests: exam pattern, marking scheme, time per question and free mocks
SSC CGL Tier 1 is a 60-minute computer-based test with 100 questions for 200 marks in 4 sections (General Intelligence & Reasoning 25, General Awareness 25, Quantitative Aptitude 25, English Comprehension 25). Marking: +2 for a correct answer and −0.5 for a wrong one, with no marks for unattempted questions. MockBazaar's SSC CGL Tier 1 mocks follow this pattern, with the same timer, question palette and negative marking, and a step-by-step solution for every question.
The 60-minute screening paper for graduate-level central government posts. Tier 1 is a qualifying screening test: its marks shortlist you for Tier 2, where the merit list is made. Four equal sections, one composite timer.
SSC CGL Tier 1 exam pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time / note |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
Official source: Staff Selection Commission (ssc.gov.in). Always confirm dates and vacancies in the latest notification there.
Time per question in SSC CGL Tier 1
There is one timer for the whole paper (60 minutes for 100 questions), so on average you have about 36 seconds per question. Questions you cannot start within that time are usually better skipped and revisited.
| Section | Questions | Time | Seconds per question |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | shared | 36 |
| General Awareness | 25 | shared | 36 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | shared | 36 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | shared | 36 |
Practise section by section
- General Intelligence & Reasoning for SSC CGL Tier 1: 25 questions, 50 marks
- General Awareness for SSC CGL Tier 1: 25 questions, 50 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude for SSC CGL Tier 1: 25 questions, 50 marks
- English Comprehension for SSC CGL Tier 1: 25 questions, 50 marks
SSC CGL Tier 1 syllabus by section and topic
Topics asked in SSC CGL Tier 1
- Partnership
- Boats and Streams
- Ratio and Proportion
- Compound Interest
- Simple Interest
- Discount and Marked Price
- Profit and Loss
- Averages
- Problems on Ages
- Percentage
- Speed, Time and Distance (Trains)
- LCM and HCF
- Number System (Unit Digit)
- Mensuration
- Time and Work
- Trigonometry
- Algebra
- Alphabet Test
- Order and Ranking
- Classification (Odd One Out)
- Letter Series
- Number Series
- Calendar (Day of the Week)
- Clock (Angle Between Hands)
- Coding-Decoding
- Analogy
- Direction Sense
- Blood Relations
- Syllogism
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Spelling (Correctly Spelt Words)
- One Word Substitution
- Idioms and Phrases
- Fill in the Blanks (Grammar)
- Indian Polity
- Indian Economy and Banking
- Environment and Ecology
- Indian History and National Movement
- Indian and World Geography
- General Science
- Static GK (Culture, Books, Sports, Firsts)
Posts
Assistant Section Officer, Inspector (Income Tax / Central Excise), Sub-Inspector (CBI), Auditor and more
Tips
- There is no sectional timer, so take Reasoning and English first and bank time for Quant.
- A wrong answer costs 0.5 marks: guess only when you can rule out two options.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are there in SSC CGL Tier 1?
SSC CGL Tier 1 has 100 questions for 200 marks.
What is the time limit for SSC CGL Tier 1?
SSC CGL Tier 1 is 60 minutes long.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL Tier 1?
Yes. SSC CGL Tier 1 gives +2 for a correct answer and −0.5 for a wrong one, with no marks for unattempted questions.
What are the sections in SSC CGL Tier 1?
SSC CGL Tier 1 has these sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 questions, 50 marks), General Awareness (25 questions, 50 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (25 questions, 50 marks), English Comprehension (25 questions, 50 marks).
Is there sectional timing in SSC CGL Tier 1?
No. It is one 60-minute paper and you can move between sections freely.
Do Tier 1 marks count in the final merit?
No. Tier 1 is for shortlisting; the final merit is based on Tier 2.